Activity 13.

3
How does concentration affect reaction rate?
You will need:
crushed marble chips
dilute hydrochloric acid of different concentrations (0.5M, 1.0M, 1.5M 2M)
timer

Method 1 only
large measuring cylinder or similar tall tube
test tube and long rubber delivery tube

Method 2 only
top-pan balance
conical flask
cotton wool
CARE Wear eye protection.
This activity is carried out in the same way as Activity 13.1, but this time you will be looking at the
rate of reaction with different concentrations of acid.

Method 1 Counting bubbles

1 Put 10cm3 of dilute hydrochloric acid in the test tube.
2 Add some lumps of calcium carbonate (marble chips) and
quickly put in the bung with the tube. Watch the bubbles rising
in the cylinder. Count the number of bubbles rising. Carry on
until the reaction has finished.
3 Calculate the total number of bubbles that have been produced
by the end of each minute. (Add the bubbles produced in a
particular minute to the total of all the bubbles produced in the
previous minutes.)
4 Repeat with different concentrations of acid.

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5 Plot a graph of the number of bubbles produced in the reaction against time (x-axis).
6 Compare your graphs.

Method 2 Loss of mass

1 Put 40cm3 dilute hydrochloric acid in the flask. Put it on the balance. Place about 20g of marble
chips on folded paper on the balance. Note the mass reading.
2 Add the lumps of calcium carbonate (marble chips) and quickly put in the cotton wool plug. Put the
empty paper back on the balance pan.
3 Read the mass again at intervals until the reaction stops. The mass will decrease because carbon
dioxide gas is lost from the reaction mixture.
4 Repeat with different concentrations of acid.
5 Plot a graph showing the decrease in mass against time (x-axis).
6 Compare your graphs.

Pearson Education Limited 2009